Fluid dumping apparatus



July 19, l938 c. R. DALE FLUID` DUMPING APPARATUS Filed Junel 1, 1937 kPatented July 19,- 1938 PATENT o1-Fics FLUID Dumme APPARATUS- Clarence R. Dale, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to. Dale Service Corporation, Culver City,` Calif., a corporation of `California;

' Application June 1, 1937, Serial ,'No. 145,778

17 Claims.

This invention has todo with improvements in apparatus for dumping iluids within wells, such devices comprising, generally speakin'g, a bodyI or container forthe fluid having a normally closed outlet, and means for opening the outlet -to dump the fluid charge by movement of the apparatus when lowered to the proper depth in the well. The present apparatus may be more -particularly characterized as being ofthe type in ldwhich the uid outlet is controlled by a valve and the valve'is voperated by virtue of relative Y -movement of certain parts upon withdrawal movement of the body.

Among the general objects of the invention is l5 to provide a iiuid dumping apparatus capable of accurate control and positive operation to deposit lfluid in the place desired, and te avoid accidental release of the `iluid charge before that place is reached. It will be understood of course that the present apparatus may be used for handling various iiuids, although it is particularly suitable for dumping and distributing liquid mud within the well. `to various features of construction that are responsible for the improved operative and structural advantages of the apparatus. All these objects and advantages of the invention can best bel explained without necessity for further preliminary discussion, from the following detailed description of the invention in one of its typical and illustrative forms. Throughout the description reference is had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a view mainly in elevation, showingV the lower portion of the apparatus dropped into engagement with a casing liner;

Fig. 2 is an upper continuation of that portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, certain of the parts being shown in section and the well casing .40 being omitted from the view;

,' 5|) the body. 'I'he valve I2 is releasably held in closed position Iby a locking device, generally indicated at I3, which is releasable by relative i longitudinal movement between -the bodyy and mandrel to permit the valve to open. Referring 55 particularly to Fig. 2, the body III comprlsesan Other objects of the invention pertain (Cl. 16S-19) elongated tubular section Il connectedatits upper end by coupling I5 with a cable I6, or any other suitable suspension means. The iiuid containn ing chamber I'I within the body is vented through opening I8 in the suspension coupling IE. The 5 end of body section I4 is connected by coupling I3 with a lower tubular section 20 having a counterbore2l receiving telescopically the upper end of mandrel II., as will later appear. If desired, a plate 22 having'4 a somewhat restricted orice 23 10 may be retained within the upper end of section 20 by coupling I9, for the purpose of restricting, vherlilthe valve is open, the uid ilow from chamer l 'I'he lower mandrel section II of the apparatus 15 comprises an elongated tube 24 whose upper end is received within counterbore 2l of the body. The body and mandrel have capacity for relative 1ongitudinal movement within the limits of engagement of the mandrel carried pins 25, see Fig. 20 4, with the ends of elongated body slots 26. Suitable means may be provided on the mandrel for frictionally or yieldably engaging the casing or an abutment therein, such as the upper end of a liner 28, to arrest downward movement of vthe 25' mandrel for the purpose of releasing the locking device I3.. As typical, I show such means to comprise an assembly of outwardly bowed resilient members29 having noduled projections 23a and attached at their upper and lower ends 30 by screws 30 to flanged sleeves 3| and 32. As the apparatus is being lowered within the casing 21, 'the spring bow and sleeve assembly is supported by bearing ring 33 and a 4sleeve nut 34 threaded on the lower end of the mandrel. Sleeves 3l and 35 32 are rotatable and slidable longitudinally with relation to the mandrel, vto permit the body and mandrel assembly to at all times remain in normal position independently of the spring bows,

thereby preventing the cable from winding up, i

and to permit the mandrel to be lowered relative to the spring bows to valve releasing position.

The valve assembly I2 comprises a tubular member 35 threaded or otherwise retained within the lower body section 20 directly above counter- 45 bore 2|. The lower portion of member 33 has a bore 36 that may be vregarded as the iiuid outlet. Normally the'outlet is closed by a ball valve 3'Ik supported on the upper end of mandrel 2l, the

valve having just slightly'smaller diameter than 56 the outlet bore '36 and being sulciently elevated within the outlet to-close the latter. During the `lock releasing operation, the body moves down- 1 ward a short distance relative to the mandrel from the position of Fig. 2, as permitted by .thel

,the mandrel into the normal spacing 'at 38 between the upper end of the mandrel and shoulder 39, and the upward displaceability of the valve 31 within bore 36. Preferably the body and mandrel will have a telescopic sliding t within bore 2|.

'I'he locking device I3 that releasably holds the valve in closed position, comprises a pair of latch elements in the form of spring fingers 4| attached at their upper ends by screws 42 to the lower surfaceof the body. In the position 0!,Flg. 2, the lower hooked ends 4|a` of the spring ilngers engage the mandrel Within an annular recess 43 formed in the lower` end of a 'collar 44 held in fixed position on.. the mandrel. When released from collar 44, the resiliency of the spring fingers 4| causes them to spring outwardly to released positions as indicated in Fig. 3. Acoil spring 45 encircling the mandrel between the lower end of the body and collar 44 acts to thrust the mandrel downward to keep the spring ngers 4| in locking engagement with the mandrel collar. 'Ihe purpose of spring 45 primarily is to keep theparts so engaged before the apparatus is loaded with fluid. After chamber I1 is illled, the fluid load transmitted by way of the valve 31 to the mandrel, keeps collar 44 pressed downward into retained engagement with the hooked ends of the spring ngers. f

In operation, the body chamber Il is loaded with fluid and the apparatus is lowered into the well. Assuming the casing to contain a liner for arresting downward movement of the mandrel, the apparatus is lowered until the spring bows 28 come into engagement with the upper end of the liner 28. Upon continued lowering of vthe apparatus, collar 41 secured to the mandrel comes into engagement with sleevel 3| to arrest further downward movement of the mandrel. Upon continued lowering of the body through the short distance required to withdraw the.

hooked ends 4|a of thev spring ilngers from. with# in recess 43, the lingers spring outwardly to the positions of Fig. 3, releasing the body for upward movement relative to the mandrel. By now raising the body, the outlet 36 is opened by upward movement from the valve, and as the body continues to move` upwardly, yoke 48 comes into ensagement with the head 4s l0f a rod or bolt so attached to the valve, to raise the latter from seating position on the upper end o1' the mandrel. Thereupon, the fluid is discharged from chamber I1 downwardly from the outlet 36 into the mandrel bore 5|, and ilnally out of the lower end o! well.

'I'he present apparatus has the advantage of enabling a body of cementto be deposited on a Surface within the well, for example on top' of a previously placed quantity of cement, without permitting objectionable dilution of the cement charge with well .uid while the charge is being dumped. By reason of the spring elements 29 being mounted above the lower end of the tubular member 24, its discharge outlet 5| at the lower end may be brought immediately above the sur- .V face upon which the cement is to be placed.

Then, after the valve is opened, the apparatus may be raised substantially at a rate corresponding to the rate at which the level of the deposited cement rises within the'weil, so that at no time will the cement during its discharge be required to settle through well fluid ina manner that would cause excessive dilution of the cement.

Someof the fluid may flow outwardly through the upper portions of slots'26 extending above the mandrel in the open -position of the valve parts.

the apparatus while the mud is being dumped.

As previously mentionedfextended distribution of themud may be facilitated by restricting the discharge from the uid chamber I1 as by means of the oriilce plate 22.

Finally it may be mentioned that the apparatus may be used as a bottom dump bailer as Well as` one operating todischarge the fluid at some intermediate point in the well casing or bore. By lowering the apparatus, 'either with or without the spring bows 29 mounted thereon, until the lower end of the mandrel bottoms on the hole, the lock |3 may be released by slightl continued downward movement of the body, and the fluid charge dumped by then elevating the apparatus, all in the manner previously explained. f

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for dumping uid within wells, a tubular body having a downwardly opening fluid outlet, an elongated tubular member extending below and movable vertically with lrelation to said body, said member having a discharge opening at its lower. end, means carried by said member above said discharge opening for frictionally engaging a liner within the well, a valve normally closing said outlet, and valve control mechanism whereby relative vertical movement between said body and member opens said valve and causes fluid to be discharged from said outlet downwardly through the bore of said tubular member.

` 2; In anapparatus for dumping uid within wells, a tubular body 'having a downwardly opening uid outlet, an elongated tubular member extending below and movable vertically with relationto said body, said memberhaving a discharge opening at its lower end, means rotatably mounted on said member above said discharge opening for frictionally engaging a liner within the well, a valve normally closing said outlet, and valve control mechanism whereby relative vertical .movement between said body and member opens said valve and causes iluld to be discharged from said outlet downwardly through the bore of said tubular member.

3.In an apparatus for dumping iluid within well pipe, a tubular body having a downwardly relative to said member opens the valve and causes uid to be discharged from said outlet .downwardly through theA bore of said tubular member, and' means carried by said member for frictionally engaging the well pipe.

4. In an apparatus for dumping fluid within well pipe, a tubular body having a downwardly opening iluid outlet, a, depending tubular member extending upwardly within and ...ovable vertically with relation to the lower end of said body, a ball valve normally closing said outlet and supported 'n the upper end of said tubular member, valve control mechanism' whereby upward movement .of said body relative to said member opens the valve 'and causes iluid to be discharged from said outlet .downwardly through the bore of said tubular member, and means carried by said member for friotionally engaging the well pipe.

5. -In an apparatus` for dumping fluid within wells, a tubular body lhaving a downwardly opening iluid outlet, an elongated tubular member extending below and movable vertically with relation to said body, means carried bysaid member for frictionally engaging a liner within the well, a valvenormally closing said outlet, and means whereby relative vertical movement between said body and member opens said valvev and causes fluid to be discharged from said outlet downwardlythrough the bore of said tubular member, said second mentioned means including locking means normally holding said body against upward movementrelative to said member. i

6. In an apparatus ier dumping iluid within wells, a tubular body having a downwardly opening iiuid outlet, an elongated tubular member extending below and movable vertically with relation to said body, means carried by said member for irictionally engagingl a liner within the well a valve normally closing said outlet, and means whereby relative vertical movement between said body and member opens said valve and causes iluld to be discharged from said outlet downwardly through the bore lof said tubular'member, said second mentioned means including a spring tending to move said tubular member downwardly with relation to the body, and releasable locking means normally holding said member against such movement.

7. Inl an apparatus for dumping iiuid within wells, a tubular body having a downwardly opening fluid outlet, an elongated ltubular member extending below and movable vertically with relation to said body, means carried by said member for frictionally' engaging .a liner within the well, a valve normally closing said outlet, and means whereby relative vertical movement be' tween said body and 4member opens said valve and causes duid to be discharged-from said outlet `downwardly throughthe bore of said tubular member, said second mentioned means including 1 a spring tending to move said tubular member of the body relative to said'member.

downwardly with relation to the-body, and releasable locking means normally holding said member against such movement, said locking means being releasable by downward movement 8. In an apparatus for dumping fluid within wells, a tubular body having a downwardly opening fluid outlet, an elongated tubular member extending below and movable vertically with re- `lation to said body, means carried by said member for frletionally engaging a liner within the well, a valve normally supported by said tubular member tov close said outlet, and means whereq by relative vertical movement between said body and member opens said valve and causes duid to be` discharged from said outlet downwardly through the bore of said tubular member, said second mentioned means including locking means normally holding vsaid body against upwardv movement relative to said member.

9. In an apparatus for dumping iluid' within wells, a tubular body. having a downwardly v opening fiuid outlet, an elongated tubular member extending below and movable vertically withL relation to said body, means carried by saidmember for. frictionally engaging a liner within the well, a valve normally supported by said tubular such movement, said locking means being releasable by downward movement of the-'body relative to said member.

10. In an apparatus for dumping iluid within weils, a tubular body having a downwardly opening iluid outlet, an elongated tubular member releasable lockextending below and movable vertically with relation to said body, means carried by said member for frictionally engaging a liner within the well, a ball valve normally closing said outlet and supported on the upper end of said vtubular member, and means whereby relative vertical movement between saidbody and member opens said valve and causes fluid to be discharged from said outlet downwardly through the bore o! said tubular member, said second mentioned means including locking means normally holding said body against upward movement relative to said member. l

. 11. In an apparatus for dumping fluid within wells, a tubular body having a downwardly open- .ing iluid outlet, an elongated tubular member extendingv below and movable vertically with relation to said body, means carried by said member for frictionally engaging a liner within the well, a ball valve normally closing said outlet 1 and supported on the upper end of said tubular member, and means whereby relative kvertical movement between said body and member opens said valve and causes iluid to bedischarged irom said outlet downwardly through the bore of said -tubular member, said second mentioned means including a spring tending to move said tubular member downwardly with relation to the` body, and releasable locking means' normally holding said member against such movement, said locking means being releasable by downward movement o! the body relative to said member.

12. In an apparatus for dumping fluid within wells, a tubular body having a downwardly opening iluid outlet, a tubular member extending below said body, a valve normally supported by said member and normally closing said outlet and the bore of said member, said member being downwardlyrnovabl with relation ,to said body to cause the valve to open downwardly, and means limiting the opening movement of the l 13.` In an apparatus for dumping iluid within wells, a tubular body having a downwardly openving fluid outlet, a tubular member extending valve relative to the body whereby fluid dis charged from the outlet passes downwardly past.

the valve into the bore'of said tubular member.

below said body, a ball valve normally seating upon the upper end of said member and closing -said outlet,.said member being downwardly movable with relation to said body to cause the valve to'open downward1y,-and means limiting the opening. movement lof the valve relative to the passes downwardly into said tubular member.

14.1111 an apparatus for dumping uid within wells, a tubular body Having a downwardly opening. duid outlet, a tubular member extending below said body, a. valve normally supported 'by said member and closing said outlet, said membodywhereby `fluid discharged from lthe outlet ber being downwardly movable with relation to said body to cause thevalve to open downwardly.

a rod attached to and extending upwardly from valve relative to the body whereby fluid discharged i'rom the outletvpasses downwardly into -said tubular member, and releasable locking means holding said member in valve closing position. y

16. In an apparatus for dumping iluid within wells, a tubular body having a downwardly opening iluid outlet, a tubular member extending below said body, a valve normally supported by said member and closing` said outlet, said member being downwardly movable with relation to ber relative to the body.

said body to cause the valve to open downwardly. means limiting the opening 'movement of the valve relative to the body whereby uid dis-l charged from the outlet passes downwardly into said tubular member, releasable locking means holding said member in valve closing position, and yielding means holding the locking means in locked condition.

17.In an apparatus for dumping iiuid within wells, a tubular body having a downwardly opening fluid outlet, a tubular member extending below said body, a valve normally supported by said member and closing said outlet, said member being downwardly movable with relation to said body to cause the valve to open downwardly, means limiting theV opening movement of the valve relative to the body whereby fluid discharged from the outlet downwardly into said tubular member, and releasable. locking means holding said member in valve closing position, said .locking means'comprising a shoulder on the outside oi' said member, and a resilient locking element carried by the body and engaging said shoulder, said element being releasable from said shoulder by upward movement of said mem- CLARENCE R. DALE. 

